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Middle East and North Africa
Oman |
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Last reviewed: 27 February 2012 |
Country information
Area: 309,500 sq km
Population: 2,773,479 (figures from the 2010 Oman census)
Life Expectancy: 73.9 years
Capital City: Muscat
People: Arab, Asian (Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan), African and Baluchi
Omani nationals: 1,957,336 (figures from the 2010 Oman census)
Expatriate residents: 816,143 (figures from the 2010 Oman census)
Language(s): Arabic (official), English, Farsi, Baluchi and Urdu.
Literacy Rate for adult nationals age 15 or above: 86.7% (2008) WB
Religion(s): No state religion. The majority are Ibadhi Muslims. Sunni and Shi’a Muslims make up the rest of the Omani population. Significant numbers of Hindus and Christians.
Currency: Omani Rial
Major Political Parties: None
Government: Monarchy, with assistance from Consultative Council (Majlis ash-Shura)
Head of State: His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said
Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs: Yousuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah
Membership of international groups/organisations: Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC); Organisation of the Islamic Council (OIC); the Arab League; the United Nations
HEALTH
In 2002 the World Health Organisation (WHO) considered the Oman national health service as the best in the world for value for money in health care. There are several well-equipped private hospitals and clinics.